Delivery of media content to a media device via multiple data packet streams

ABSTRACT

A method includes receiving, at a customer premises equipment (CPE) device from a data source, media content requested by a media device. The method includes determining, at the CPE device, a number of concurrent media connections to establish to the media device based on a workload of the customer premises device. The method includes establishing the number of concurrent communication connections between the CPE device and the media device. The method also includes sending the media content as data packets via data packet streams to the media device from the customer premises equipment device. A data packet stream of the data packet streams is sent via each communication connection of the concurrent communication connections. Each data packet stream includes less than all data packets of the media content, and the media device processes the data packets received via the data packet streams to generate media content output.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of and claims priority to U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 15/862,423, filed Jan. 4, 2018 (now U.S. Pat. No.11,005,976), which is a continuation of and claims priority to U.S.patent application Ser. No. 13/671,775, filed Nov. 8, 2012 (now U.S.Pat. No. 9,900,408), all of which are incorporated herein by referencein their entirety.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure is generally related to delivery of media contentto a media device via multiple data packet streams.

BACKGROUND

A service provider may provide different service levels to customers.The service level of a customer may be expressed in terms of a maximumbandwidth available to the customer. Customers may have customerpremises equipment (CPE) devices that establish local area networks thatenable multiple devices to use available bandwidth. Devices coupled to alocal area network (LAN) may communicate by wired connections, wirelessconnections, or both. Some activities performed by devices of the LANmay be bandwidth intensive activities. For example streaming video(e.g., standard definition video and high definition video) to atelevision or display of a computing device may be a bandwidth intensiveactivity. A connection to a CPE device of a customer by a networkeddevice may provide an unsatisfactory experience for a customer when theone or more bandwidth intensive activities are occurring even though theservice level of the customer is sufficient to support the one or morebandwidth intensive activities.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a first embodiment of a system for deliveryof media content to a media device via multiple data packet streams.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a second embodiment of a system fordelivery of media content to a media device via multiple data packetstreams.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a third embodiment of a system for deliveryof media content to a media device via multiple data packet streams.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart of a first embodiment of a method for delivery ofmedia content to a media device via multiple data packet streams.

FIG. 5 is a flow chart of a second embodiment of a method for deliveryof media content to a media device via multiple data packet streams.

FIG. 6 is a flow chart of a third embodiment of a method for delivery ofmedia content to a media device via multiple data packet streams.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram of an illustrative embodiment of a generalcomputer system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A media device (e.g., a set-top box device, a television, or a computersystem) coupled to a local area network may make multiple concurrentconnections to a customer premises equipment (CPE) device to increaseavailable bandwidth for downloading media content to the media device.The CPE device may send the media content as data packets to the mediadevice via data packet streams. Each data packet stream may include aportion of the media content. The media device may process the portionsof the media content received from the data packet streams to output ofthe media content for one or more devices (e.g., to a sound system and adisplay device). Sending the data streams to the media device viamultiple concurrent connections may reduce a bandwidth bottleneckbetween the CPE device and the media device. Sending the data streams tothe network device via multiple concurrent connections may increasesatisfaction with playback of the media content by reducing a timeneeded to buffer a sufficient portion of the media content to enable themedia content to be played and by inhibiting underflow of the bufferduring playback of the media content.

In a particular embodiment, a method includes receiving a request formedia content at a customer premises equipment device. The media contentis to be sent to a media device. The method includes retrieving themedia content to the customer premises equipment device from a datasource in response to the request. The method includes establishing twoor more concurrent communication connections between the customerpremises equipment device and the media device. The method also includessending the media content as data packets via data packet streams to themedia device from the customer premises equipment device. A data packetstream of the data packet streams is sent via each communicationconnection of the two or more concurrent communication connections, andeach data packet stream includes less than all data packets of the mediacontent. The media device is configured to process the data packetsreceived via the data packet streams to output of the media content forone or more devices.

In a particular embodiment, a system includes a processor and a memoryaccessible to the processor. The memory includes instructions executableby the processor to receive a request for media content for a mediadevice. The memory includes instructions executable by the processor toestablish two or more concurrent communication connections to the mediadevice. The memory also includes instructions executable by theprocessor to send the media content as data packets via data packetstreams to the media device. A data packet stream of the data packetstreams is sent via each communication connection of the two or moreconcurrent communication connections, and each data packet streamincludes less than all data packets of the media content. The mediadevice is configured to process the data packets received via the datapacket streams to output of the media content for one or more devices.

In a particular embodiment, a computer-readable storage device includesinstructions that, when executed by a processor, cause the processor toperform a method. The method includes sending a request for mediacontent to a customer premises equipment device. The method includesestablishing two or more concurrent communication connections to thecustomer premises equipment device in response to the request. Themethod includes receiving a data packet stream of data packets from thecustomer premises equipment device via each communication connection ofthe two or more concurrent communication connections. The media contentis divided among the data packets such that the data packets of eachindividual data packet stream sent from the customer premises equipmentdevice are insufficient to produce the media content. The method mayalso include processing the data packets received via the two or moreconcurrent communication connections to output the media content to oneor more devices.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a first embodiment of a system 100 todeliver media content to a media device 102 via multiple data packetstreams. A customer premises equipment (CPE) device 104 may send themedia content to the media device 102 as multiple data packet streamsvia two or more concurrent communication connections 106 between the CPEdevice 104 and the media device 102. The concurrent communicationconnections 106 may include wireline connections (e.g., wiredconnections or fiber optic connections), wireless connections, or both.

The media content may include video content (e.g., standard definitionvideo content or high definition video content of a television program,movie, videoconference, etc), audio content, internet content, othertypes of content, or combinations thereof. In an embodiment, the mediacontent may be on-demand content requested from a service provider ofentertainment and/or educational materials, such as NETFLIX®.

In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 1, three concurrent communicationconnections 106 between the media device 102 and the CPE device 104deliver data packet streams of the media content to the media device102. In other embodiments, two concurrent communication connections 106or more than three concurrent communication connections 106 between themedia device 102 and the CPE device 104 may deliver the media content tothe media device 102.

The media device 102 may receive multiple data packet streams from theCPE device 104 via the concurrent communication connections 106. Eachdata packet stream may include a portion of data packets needed toproduce the media content. In an embodiment, the data packets needed toproduce the media content are divided into n data packet blocks, DPBs.Each DPB may have one or more data packets. The DPBs may be uniform insize or may have different sizes. The DPBs may be alternated among jdata packet streams, DPS, sent via j concurrent communicationconnections 106. The DPBs in each data packet stream, DPS_(x), may beprovided the following equation:DPS_(x)={DPB_(x),DPB_(xj+1), . . . DPB_((n−j+x−1)+1)}  (Eqn 1)

In some embodiments, one or more particular communication connections ofthe two or more concurrent communication connections 106 may havegreater bandwidth than other communication connections of the two ormore concurrent communication connections 106. For example, one of thecommunication connections may be a wired connection that has greaterbandwidth than another communication connection that is a wirelessconnection. The media content may be divided among the two or moreconcurrent communication connections 106 such that the one or moreparticular communication connections with greater bandwidth carry moredata packets of the media content than the other communicationconnections with less bandwidth.

Data packet payloads from two or more of the data packet streams mayneed to be combined to enable a segment of media content that a userhears, sees, or senses to be output from one or more devices. Thedevices may include, but are not limited to, a sound system 108, adisplay device 110, a haptic device 112, other sensory device, orcombinations thereof. The haptic device 112 may be a controller (e.g., agame controller) or other device that provides tactile feedback to auser. The data packets from the data packet streams may be aggregated,ordered, and processed to output of the media content (e.g., videooutput, audio output, and haptic output) for the one or more the devices108, 110, 112.

The media device 102 may be a set-top box device, an internet capabletelevision, a personal computer, a laptop computer, another computingdevice, or combinations thereof, that is capable of establishing the twoor more concurrent communication connections 106 to the CPE device 104.The media device 102 may include a processor 114, a memory 116, anetwork interface 118, and interfaces 120. The memory 116 may includeinstructions 122 executable by the processor 114 to perform tasks, suchas sending the media content received as data packets via two or moreconcurrent communication connections 106 as output to one or more of thedevices 108, 110, 112. The memory 116 may include data 124. The data 124may include stored media content, preferences, user profiles, and otherdata used by the processor 114 during performance of the tasks. Thememory 116 may include one or more buffers 126. The buffers 126 maytemporarily store incoming data packets during ordering of the datapackets. The buffers 126 may also temporarily store portions of outputproduced by the processor 114 from payloads of the data packets beforethe output is sent by the processor 114 to one or more of the devices108, 110, 112, stored by the processor 114 for later retrieval in thedata 124, or both.

The network interface 118 may enable the media device 102 to communicatewith one or more external devices via the CPE device 104. The networkinterface 118 may include a number of ports. The multiple concurrentcommunication connections 106 for sending data packet streams of themedia content from CPE device 104 to the media device 102 may beestablished between the CPE device 104 and individual ports of thenetwork interface 118.

The interfaces 120 may enable the media device 102 to receive input fromdevices coupled to the media device 102 (e.g., the haptic device 112 anda remote control device 128) and to send output to one or more devicescoupled to the media device 102 (e.g., the sound system 108, the displaydevice 110, the haptic device 112, and the remote control device 128).The devices coupled to the media device 102 may be integral componentsof the media device 102, the devices coupled to the media device 102 maybe removably coupled to the media device 102 (e.g., by wirelineconnections or by wireless connections), or some of the devices coupledto the media device 102 may be integral components of the media device102 and some of the devices coupled to the media device 102 may beremovably coupled to the media device 102.

Devices coupled to the media device 102 that provide input to the mediadevice 102 (e.g., the remote control device 128, the haptic device 112,a mouse, a touch pad, a touch screen, a telecommunication device, etc.)may enable a user of the media device 102 to select the media contentthat is to be sent to the media device 102. The user may select theinput from an electronic program guide, from a listing of availablemedia content from one or more sources, or from another form ofpresentation of available media content.

Devices coupled to the media device 102 that receive output from themedia device 102 (e.g., the sound system 108, the display device 110,and the haptic device 112) may enable the user to experience the mediacontent sent to the media device 102. In an embodiment, the processor114 of the media device 102 may process the data packets received viathe data packet streams to video output and audio output. The processor114 may send the video output to the display device 110. The audiooutput may be sent by the processor 114 to the sound system 108 when theaudio output is not muted. The sound system 108 may include speakersthat are integral components of the display device 110 as well asmultiple speakers of a stereo system coupled to the media device 102.When the haptic device 112 is coupled to the media device 102 and themedia content includes haptic output, haptic output processed from thedata packets may be sent to the haptic device 112. Other outputs of themedia content may be sent to appropriate devices.

The CPE device 104 may facilitate communications between devices of alocal area network (LAN) 130 established by the CPE 104. The CPE device104 may also facilitate communications between devices of the LAN 130and devices external to the LAN 130 that are coupled to the CPE device104 by a network 132 (e.g., a public wide area network such as theinternet). The CPE device 104 may include at least one processor 134 andat least one memory 138 coupled to the at least one processor 134. Theat least one memory 138 may include instructions executable by the atleast one processor 134 to perform tasks. In the embodiment depicted inFIG. 1, the at least one processor 134 of the CPE device 104 is able toperform the task of dividing received media content into two or moredata packet streams of data packets.

A request that the media content be sent to the media device 102 may bereceived by the CPE device 104. The request may be received from themedia device 102 or from a different device. The different device may bea computing device 138 (e.g., a desktop computer, laptop computer,tablet computer, mobile communication device, etc.) that is part of theLAN 130 or a computing device 140 (e.g., a desktop computer, laptopcomputer, tablet computer, mobile communication device, etc.) that iscoupled to the CPE device 104 via the network 132 or via a mobilecommunication network 142 and the network 132. The request may identifythe media content and a source of the media content. The source of themedia content may be a device that is part of the LAN 130 (e.g., thecomputing device 138) or a content source 144 coupled to the CPE device104 by the network 132. The source of the media content may send themedia content to the CPE device 104. The media content may be sent tothe CPE device 104 from the source as data packets in a data packetstream.

The at least one processor 134 of the CPE device 104 may determine aparticular number of concurrent communication connections 106 toestablish between the CPE device 104 and the media device 102 fordelivery of the media content to the media device 102. The at least oneprocessor 134 may determine the particular number based on a number ofconcurrent connections that the CPE device 104 can support, based on anumber of communication connections the CPE device 104 is currentlymaintaining (e.g., a work load of the CPE device 104), based on a numberof connections established between the CPE device 104 and the mediadevice 102 for purposes not related to the media content (e.g., a workload of the media device 102), based on a number of concurrentconnections that the media device 102 can accept, based on otherfactors, or combinations thereof.

The at least one processor 134 may communicate with the media device 102and establish the concurrent communication connections 106 between theCPE device 104 and the media device 102 to carry data streams of themedia content to the media device 102. The concurrent communicationconnections 106 may include a communication connection used to send therequest for the media content from the media device 102 to the CPEdevice 104 when the request is sent to the CPE device 104 from the mediadevice 102.

The at least one processor 134 may send the media content to the mediadevice 102 as data packets in data packet streams. Each of theconcurrent communication connections 106 may carry a data packet streamof the data packet streams to the media device 102. The at least oneprocessor 134 may divide the media content received from the source ofthe media content among the data packet streams. The media device 102may receive the data packet streams, aggregate data packets of the datapacket streams, order the data packets, and process the data packets toproduce output of the media content. The CPE device 104 may change thenumber of the concurrent communication connections 106 duringtransmission of the media content to the media device 102 due tochanging conditions, such as additional or decreased work load demandsmade of the CPE device 104, the media device 102, or both.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a second embodiment of a system 200 todeliver media content to a first media device 202 via multiple datapacket streams. The first media device 202 may establish a singlecommunication connection 204 to a CPE device 206. When the CPE device206 receives a request for the media content, a first data packet streamof data packets of the media content may be sent to the first mediadevice 202 by the CPE device 206 via the single communication connection204. One or more second data packet streams of the media content may besent to a second media device 208 via one or more communicationsconnections 210 between the CPE device 206 and the second media device208 that are concurrent with the single communication connection 204.Each data packet stream of the first data packet stream and the one ormore second data packet streams may include a portion of the datapackets needed to produce the media content. The data packets sent tothe first media device 202 via the first data packet stream and the datapackets sent to the second media device 208 via the one or more seconddata packet streams may need to be aggregated, ordered, and processed toproduce output of the media content for one or more devices 212 coupledto the first media device 202. The devices 212 may include, but are notlimited to, a display device, a sound system, a haptic device, orcombinations thereof.

The first media device 202 may be a set-top box device, an internetcapable television, a personal computer, a laptop computer, tabletcomputer, mobile communication device, other computing device, orcombinations thereof that is capable of establishing the singlecommunication connection 204 to the CPE device 206. The first mediadevice 202 may include a processor 214, a memory 216, a networkinterface 218, and interfaces 220. The memory 216 may includeinstructions 222 executable by the processor 214 to perform tasks, suchas receiving a portion of the media content as data packets via thesingle communication connection 204. The memory may include data 224.The data 224 may include stored media content, preferences, userprofiles, and other data used by the processor 214 during performance ofthe tasks. The memory 216 may include one or more buffers 226. Thebuffers 226 may temporarily store incoming data packets. The buffers 226may also temporarily store portions of output produced by the processor214 before the output of the media content is sent by the processor 214to one or more of the devices 212, stored by the processor 214 for laterretrieval in the data 224, or both.

The network interface 218 may enable the first media device 202 tocommunicate with one or more external devices via the singlecommunication connection 204 to the CPE device 206. The networkinterface 218 may also enable the first media device 202 to communicatewith the second media device 208 via a wireline 228 (e.g., a fiber opticcable or an Ethernet cable).

In an embodiment, the processor 214 sends data packets of the mediacontent received via the single communication connection 204 to thesecond media device 208 via the wireline 228. The second media device208 aggregates data packets of the media content received via the one ormore connections 210, orders the data packets, and sends a media contentdata packet stream back to the first media device 202 via the wireline228. The processor 214 processes payloads of data packets of the mediacontent data packet stream to the output of the media content that issent to one or more of the devices 212. In an embodiment, data packetsof the media content received by the second media device 208 are sentvia the wireline 228 to the first media device 202. The processor 214may aggregate the data packets received via the wireline 228 with datapackets received via the single communication connection 204, order theaggregated data packets, and process the ordered data packets to theoutput of the media content that is sent to one or more of the devices212. In another embodiment, a third device (not shown) receives the datapackets of the media content received by the first media device 202 viathe single communication connection 204 and the data packets received bythe second media device 208 via the one or more connections 210. Thethird device may aggregate the received data packets, order theaggregated data packets, and send the ordered data packets to the firstmedia device 202 to be processed by the processor to the output of themedia content that is sent to one or more of the devices 212.

The interfaces 220 may enable the first media device 202 to receiveinput from one or more of the devices 212 coupled to the first mediadevice 202 (e.g., a remote control device, a mouse, a touch pad, a touchscreen, a telecommunication device, etc.). The interfaces 220 may alsoenable the first media device 202 to send the output of the mediacontent to one or more of the devices 212 coupled to the first mediadevice 202 (e.g., a display device, a sound system, etc).

The second media device 208 may include a processor 230, a memory 232, anetwork interface 234, and an interface 236. The memory 232 may includeinstructions 238 executable by the processor 214 to perform tasks, suchas receiving a portion of the media content as data packets via the oneor more communication connections 210. The memory 232 may include one ormore buffers 240. The buffers 240 may temporarily store incoming datapackets received via the one or more connections 210, data packetsreceived via the wireline 228, or both.

The network interface 234 may include a number of ports. The one or morecommunication connections 210 for sending data packet streams of themedia content from the CPE device 206 to the second media device 208 maybe established between the CPE device 206 and individual ports of thenetwork interface 234. The interface 236 may enable the second mediadevice 208 to be coupled to the first media device 202 by the wireline228.

The CPE device 206 may facilitate communications between devices of alocal area network (LAN) 242 established by the CPE device 206. The CPEdevice 206 may also facilitate communications between devices of the LAN242 and devices external to the LAN 242 that are coupled to the CPEdevice 206 by a network 244.

A request that the media content be sent to the first media device 202may be received by the CPE device 206. The request may be received fromthe first media device 202 or from a different device (e.g., a computingdevice 246 of the LAN 242, such as a desktop computer, laptop computer,tablet computer, mobile communication device, etc.). The request mayidentify the media content and a source of the media content. The sourceof the media content may be a device of the LAN 242 (e.g., the computingdevice 246) or a content source 248 coupled to the CPE device 206 by thenetwork 244. The source of the media content may send the media contentto the CPE device 206. The media content may be sent to the CPE device206 from the source as data packets in a data packet stream.

In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 2, the CPE device 206 is not able todivide media content received from the source of the media content intotwo or more data packet streams of data packets. Instead of the CPEdevice 206 dividing the media content into the two or more data packetstreams, the CPE device 206 determines a particular number of datapacket streams that are to be sent to the first media device 202 and thesecond media device 208, and sends a split request to a splitter device250. The CPE device 206 may also send the media content to the splitterdevice 250. The split request may identify the media content to be splitand may indicate the particular number of data packet streams.

The splitter device 250 may receive the request and the media contentfrom the CPE device 206. The splitter device 250 may divide the mediacontent into the particular number of data packet streams. The splitterdevice 250 may establish the particular number of concurrentcommunication connections 252 to the CPE device 206. The splitter device250 may send a data packet stream of the data packet streams to the CPEdevice 206 via each of the concurrent communication connections 252.

In an embodiment, the splitter device 250 is a computing device (e.g., apersonal computer) that includes software that enables the splitterdevice to divide the media content into the data packet streams andestablish the concurrent communication connections 252 to the CPE device206. When the source of the media content is the splitter device 250,the split request may identify that the splitter device 250 is thesource of the media content. When the split request indicates that thesplitter device 250 is the source of the media content, the splitterdevice 250 may process the media content into the data packet streamswithout sending the media content to the CPE device 206 and receivingthe media content back from the CPE device 206. In another embodiment,the splitter device 250 is an application specific device for dividingthe media content into the data packet streams and establishing theconcurrent communication connections 252 with the CPE device 206.

The CPE device 206 receives the data packet streams via the concurrentcommunication connections 252 from the splitter device 250. The CPEdevice 206 sends a first data packet stream of the data packet streamsto the first media device 202 via the single communication connection204. The CPE device 206 sends the remaining data packet streams to thesecond media device 208 via the second communication connections 210.The data packets sent to the first media device 202 and the second mediadevice 208 may be aggregated, ordered, and processed to output for oneor more of the devices 212.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a third embodiment of a system 300 todeliver media content to a first media device 302 via multiple datapacket streams. The first media device 302 may be a set-top box device,a television, a personal computer, a laptop computer, other computingdevice, or combinations thereof. When a CPE device 304 receives arequest to send the media content to the first media device 302, the CPEdevice 304 may establish multiple concurrent communication connections306 with a second media device 308. The CPE device 304 may send themedia content as data packet streams of data packets to the second mediadevice 308. A data packet stream may be sent via each communicationconnection of the multiple concurrent communication connections 306.Each data packet stream sent to the second media device 308 may includedata packets of a portion of the media content that is insufficient toreproduce the media content. Data packets from the data packet streamsmay need to be aggregated, ordered, and processed to produce output ofthe media content.

The second media device 308 may aggregate the data packets received fromthe data packet streams, order the data packets, and send the aggregatedand ordered data packets to the first media device 302 via a connection310. The connection 310 may be a wireline connection (e.g., a fiberoptic cable or an Ethernet cable). The first media device 302 mayprocess the aggregated and ordered data packets received via theconnection 310 to output of the media content that is sent to one ormore of devices 312 coupled to the first media device 302. The devices312 may include, but are not limited to, a display device, a soundsystem, a haptic device, or combinations thereof.

The second media device 308 may be a connectivity device that is capableof establishing the multiple concurrent communication connections 306 tothe CPE device 304. The second media device 308 may include a processor314, a memory 316, a network interface 318, and an interface 320. Thememory 316 may include instructions 322 executable by the processor 314to perform tasks, such as receiving the data packets via the multipleconcurrent communication connections 306, aggregating the data packets,ordering the data packets, and sending the data packets to the firstmedia device 302 via the connection 310. The memory 316 may also includeone or more buffers 324. The buffers 324 may temporarily store incomingdata packets during aggregation and ordering of the data packets.

The network interface 318 may enable the second media device 308 tocommunicate with one or more external devices via the CPE device 304.The network interface 318 may include a number of ports. The multipleconcurrent communication connections 306 for sending data packet streamsof the media content from CPE device 304 to the second media device 308may be established between the CPE device 304 and individual ports ofthe network interface 318. The network interface 318 may receive inputfor the first media device 302. The processor 314 may forward input forthe first media device 302 to the first media device 302 via theinterface 320.

The interface 320 may enable the second media device 308 to receiveinput from the first media device 302. Input from the first media device302 may be forwarded to the CPE device 304 via a communicationconnection established between the network interface 318 and the CPEdevice 304. The interface 320 may also enable the second media device308 to send aggregated and ordered data packets of the media content tothe first media device 302.

The CPE device 304 may facilitate communications between devices of alocal area network (LAN) 326 established by the CPE device 304. The CPEdevice 304 may also facilitate communications between devices of the LAN326 and devices external to the LAN 326 that are coupled to the CPEdevice 304 by a network 328.

A request that the media content be sent to the first media device 302may be received by the CPE device 304. The request may be received fromthe first media device 302 via the second media device 308 or from adifferent device. The request may include a source of the media content.

When the source identified in the request is a computing device 346(e.g., a desktop computer, laptop computer, tablet computer, etc.)coupled to the LAN 326, the CPE device 304 may determine whether thecomputing device 346 is capable of sending the media content to the CPEdevice 304 via multiple data packet streams. The determination may bemade by accessing data regarding capabilities of devices coupled to theCPE device 304, by communications between the CPE device 304 and thecomputing device 346 regarding the capabilities of the computing device346, by other technique, or by combinations thereof. When thedetermination is that the computing device 346 is capable of sending themedia content via multiple data packet streams, the CPE device 304 maysend a media content request to the computing device 346. The mediacontent request may specify the media content and a number of datapacket streams containing portions of the media content that are to besent to the CPE device 304. The CPE device 304 may establish the numberof concurrent communication connections 306 between the CPE device 304and the second media device 308.

In response to the media request, the computing device 346 may establishthe number of concurrent communication connections 332 with the CPEdevice 304. The computing device 346 may divide the media content intodata packet streams of data packets and send a data packet stream viaeach communication connection of the communication connections 332 tothe CPE device 304. The CPE device 304 may forward the data packetstreams received via the concurrent communication connections 332 to thesecond media device 308 via corresponding concurrent communicationconnections 306. The second media device 308 may aggregate received datapackets, order the data packets, and send the ordered data packets tothe first media device 302. The first media device 302 may process thedata packets received from the second media device 308 to produce outputof the media content that is sent to one or more of the devices 312.

When the source identified in the request is a content source 334accessed via the network 328, the CPE device 304 may determine whetherthe content source 334 or a service provider device 336 is capable ofsending the media content to the CPE device 304 divided among multipledata packet streams. For example, after receiving the request for themedia content, the CPE device 304 may access a memory of the CPE device304 that provides information that the service provider device 336 isable to provide the media content to the CPE device 304 via multipledata packet streams.

When the determination indicates that the media content may be obtainedas multiple data packet streams, the CPE device 304 may determine aparticular number of concurrent communication connections 306 toestablish between the CPE device 304 and the second media device 308 fordelivery of the media content to the first media device 302. The CPEdevice may determine the particular number based on a number ofconcurrent connections that the CPE device 304 can support, based on anumber of communication connections the CPE device 304 is currentlymaintaining (e.g., a work load of the CPE device 304), based on a numberof connections established between the CPE device 304 and the secondmedia device 308 for purposes not related to the media content (e.g., awork load of the second media device 308), based on a number ofconcurrent connections that the second media device 308 can accept,based on other factors, or combinations thereof. The CPE device 304 maycommunicate with the second media device 308 and establish theconcurrent communication connections 306 to carry the media content tothe second media device 308.

The CPE device 304 may also send a media content request to receive themedia content in multiple data packet streams with the data packetsdivided among the data packet streams to a device that the CPE device304 determined is able to provide the media content in multiple datapacket streams. The media content request may specify a number of datapacket streams that are to carry the media content to the CPE device304. When the service provider device 336 is to provide the mediacontent in multiple data packet streams, the service provider device 336may receive the media content request. In response to the media contentrequest, the service provider device 336 may request the media contentfrom the content source 334 via a communication connection 338, receivethe media content from the content source 334 via the communicationconnection 338, divide data packets of the received media content amongthe number of data packet streams, and send the data packet streams tothe CPE device 304 via communication connections 340. In an embodimentwhere the media content is sent to the content source 334, the contentsource 334 sends the media content to the CPE device 304 as data packetstreams with the media content divided among the data packet streams.

The CPE device 304 forwards data packet streams of the media contentreceived in response to the media request (e.g., the data packet streamsreceived via the communication connections 340) to the second mediadevice 308 via the concurrent communication connections 306. The secondmedia device 308 may aggregate received data packets, order the datapackets, and send the ordered data packets to the first media device302. The first media device 302 may process the data packets receivedfrom the second media device 308 to produce output of the media contentthat is sent to one or more of the devices 312.

Referring to FIG. 4, a flow chart of a first particular embodiment of amethod of delivering media content to a media device via multiple datapacket streams is shown. In an embodiment, the method may be performedby a customer premises equipment (CPE) device (e.g., the CPE device 104depicted in FIG. 1 and the CPE device 206 depicted in FIG. 2).

At 402, the CPE device may receive a request for media content. Therequest may specify that the media content is to be sent to a mediadevice (e.g., a set-top box device, a television, a digital recorder, acomputing device, etc.). In an embodiment, the CPE device receives therequest from the media device. The CPE device may retrieve the mediacontent to the CPE device in response to the request, at 404. The mediacontent may be received by the CPE device as a data packet stream ofdata packets. The media content may be retrieved in response to a mediacontent request sent by the CPE device to a content source. The mediacontent request may be sent to a device coupled to a local area network(LAN) established by the CPE device when the content source is a devicecoupled to the LAN. The request may be sent to a content source or aservice provider device when the content source is external to the LAN.

The CPE device may establish two or more concurrent communicationconnections to the media device, at 406. The CPE device may determinethe number of concurrent connections to establish based at least in parton: a capability of the CPE device to send multiple streams, acapability of the media device to receive multiple concurrent streams, awork load of the CPE device, and a work load of the media device.

Capabilities of the CPE device may determine whether the CPE device isto split the media content retrieved to the media device into two ormore data packet streams or whether the CPE device is to send theretrieved media content to a splitter device that divides the mediacontent into two or more data streams. When the CPE device is capable ofsplitting retrieved media content, at 408, the CPE device may divide themedia content into data packet streams of data packets, at 410. Themethod may continue, at 416.

When the CPE device is not capable of splitting retrieved media content,at 408, the media content retrieved to the CPE device may be sent to asplitter device, at 412. The splitter device may divide the mediacontent received from the CPE device into data packet streams of datapackets. The media content as data packet streams of data packets may bereceived at the CPE device from the splitter device, at 414. The methodmay continue, at 416.

At 416, the media content may be sent as data packets via the datapacket streams to the media device from the CPE device. A data packetstream of the data packet streams may be sent via each communicationconnection of the two or more concurrent communication connections. Eachdata packet stream may include less than all data packets of the mediacontent. The media device may be configured to process the data packetsreceived via the data packet streams to output the media content for oneor more devices

Referring to FIG. 5, a flow chart of a second particular embodiment of amethod of delivering media content to a media device via multiple datapacket streams is shown. In an embodiment, the method may be performedby a customer premises equipment (CPE) device (e.g., the CPE device 104depicted in FIG. 1, the CPE device 206 depicted in FIG. 2, and the CPEdevice 304 depicted in FIG. 3).

At 502, the CPE device may receive a first request for media content fora media device (e.g., a set-top box device, a television, a digitalrecorder, a computing device, etc.). In an embodiment, the CPE devicereceives the first request from the media device.

The CPE device may establish two or more concurrent communicationconnections to the media device, at 504. The CPE device may determinethe number of concurrent connections to establish based at least in parton: a capability of the CPE device to send multiple streams, acapability of the media device to receive multiple concurrent streams, awork load of the CPE device, and a work load of the media device.

Capabilities of the CPE device, capabilities of service provider devicesthat send data to the CPE device, capabilities of one or more devicescoupled to a local area network (LAN) established by the CPE device, orcombinations thereof, may determine whether the CPE device is to splitthe media content retrieved to the media device or whether the CPEdevice is to receive the media content as two or more data packetstreams. When the CPE device is capable of splitting retrieved mediacontent, at 506, the media content may be received from a data source inresponse to the first request, at 508. The media content may be receivedin response to a media content request sent by the CPE device to asource of the media content. The media content request may be sent to adevice coupled to a local area network (LAN) established by the CPEdevice when the source is a device coupled to the LAN. The request maybe sent to a content source or a service provider device when the sourceis external to the LAN. The source may send the media content to the CPEdevice in response to the media content request.

The retrieved media content may be divided into data packet streams ofdata packets by the CPE device, at 510. The media content may be dividedinto a number of data packet streams of data packets. The number of datapacket streams may be equal to a number of concurrent communicationconnections of the two or more concurrent communication connections.During retrieval of the media content, the CPE device may add at leastone additional concurrent communication connection when the CPE deviceis able to accommodate the at least one additional concurrentcommunication connection, or the CPE device may end at least one of thetwo or more concurrent communication connections when the CPE device isunable to accommodate the number of concurrent communication connections(e.g., due to additional work demands on the CPE device). The CPE devicemay adjust division of the media content to reflect changes to thenumber of concurrent communication connections. The method may continue,at 516.

When the CPE device does not include the capability to split the mediacontent, at 506, the CPE device may send a media content request toreceive the media content, at 512. The media content request may specifythat the media content be sent via a number of data packet streams equalto the number of concurrent communication connections of the two or moreconcurrent communication connections.

When the media content is not requested from a device of the LAN, themedia content request may be sent by the CPE device to a serviceprovider device that is able to retrieve the media content and dividethe media content into the requested number of data packet streams. Whenthe media content is to be retrieved from a particular device of thelocal area network that is able to send the media content to the CPEdevice in the requested number of data packet streams (e.g., a computingdevice capable of sending multiple data packet streams via multipleconcurrent communication connections), the request may be sent to theparticular device. When the media content is to be retrieved from aparticular device of the local area network that is unable to send themedia content to the CPE device in the requested number of data streams(e.g., a tablet computer), the request may be sent to a splitter device(e.g., a computing device capable of sending multiple data packetstreams via multiple concurrent communication connections). The splitterdevice may receive the media content from the particular device via theCPE device, and divide the media content into the requested number ofdata packet streams.

The CPE device may receive the media content as data packet streams ofdata packets, at 514. The CPE device may add at least one additionalconcurrent communication connection when the CPE device is able toaccommodate the at least one additional concurrent communicationconnection, or the CPE device may end at least one of the two or moreconcurrent communication connections when the CPE device is unable toaccommodate the number of concurrent communication connections (e.g.,due to additional work demands on the CPE device). For example, the CPEdevice may have the capability to handle ten (10) concurrentcommunication connections. At a particular time when a request for themedia content is received, four (4) of the 10 communication connectionsmay be in use, including a particular communication connection used tomade the request. The CPE device may establish 5 additionalcommunication connections to the media device, holding the ability toestablish one communication connection in reserve. During retrieval ofthe media content a first user may request access to first content viathe CPE device and a lap top computer. The CPE device may establish atenth communication connection to accommodate the lap top computer. Alsoduring retrieval of the media content, a second user may request accessto second content via the CPE device and a portable communication device(e.g., a mobile communication device or a tablet computer). The CPEdevice may end one of the six communication connections to the mediadevice to free up a communication connection that the CPE device willuse to accommodate the portable communication device. Instead of sendingthe media content to the media device via six data streams, the CPEdevice will send the media content to the media device via five datawhen one of the communication connections to the media device is ended.The media content request may be adjusted to reflect changes to thenumber of concurrent communication connections. The method may continue,at 516.

At 516, the media content may be sent as data packets via the datapacket streams to the media device. A data packet stream of the datapacket streams may be sent via each communication connection of the twoor more communication connections. The media content may be dividedamong the data packet streams such that the data packets of eachindividual data packet stream received at the CPE device areinsufficient to produce the media content. The data packets may bedivided among the data packet streams such that one or more data packetsfrom each data packet stream are needed to produce each segment of themedia content. The method may end, at 518.

Referring to FIG. 6, a flow chart of a third particular embodiment of amethod of delivering media content to a media device via multiple datapacket streams is shown. In an embodiment, the method may be performedby a processor of a media device (e.g., the media device 102 depicted inFIG. 1). The media device may be a set-top box device, a television, acomputing device, or combination thereof.

At 602, a request for media content is sent to a customer premisesequipment (CPE) device. Two or more concurrent communication connectionsto the CPE device may be established in response to the request, at 604.In an embodiment, the CPE device determines the number of concurrentcommunication connections to be established, conveys the information tothe media device, and the media device and the CPE device establish thenumber of concurrent connections between particular ports of the mediadevice and the CPE device.

A data packet stream of data packets from the CPE device may be receivedvia each communication connection of the two or more concurrentcommunication connections, at 606. The media content is divided amongthe data packets such that the data packets of each individual datapacket stream sent from the CPE device are insufficient to produce themedia content. The data packets may be divided among the data packetstreams such that one or more data packets from each data packet streamare needed to produce each segment of the media content. The datapackets may be received from a single router of the CPE device or viamultiple routers of the CPE device. Multiple data streams may be sent tothe media device via one or more of time division multiple access,frequency division multiple access, and code division multiple access.

The data packets received via the two or more concurrent communicationconnections may be processed to output the media content to one or moredevices, at 608. The one or more devices may include a display device, asound system, a digital recorder, another device, or combinationsthereof. The method may end, at 610.

Various embodiments disclosed herein enable media content to be sentfrom a CPE device to a media device via two or more concurrentcommunication connections. The use of two or more concurrentcommunication connections to send the media content to the media devicemay increase user satisfaction with receipt of high bandwidth intensivemedia content (e.g., streaming video) even when the media content issent to the media device from the CPE device by wireless transmission.Sending the data streams to the network device via multiple concurrentconnections may reduce a bandwidth bottleneck between the CPE device andthe media device.

Referring to FIG. 7, an illustrative embodiment of a general computersystem is shown and is designated 700. The computer system 700 mayinclude a set of instructions that can be executed to cause the computersystem 700 to perform any one or more of the methods or computer basedfunctions disclosed herein. The computer system 700 may operate as astandalone device or may be connected, e.g., using a network, to othercomputer systems or peripheral devices. For example, the computer system700 may include or be included within any one or more of the mediadevices 102, 202, 208, 302, 308, the CPE devices 104, 206, 304,computing devices 138, 140, 246, 346, the splitter device 250, thecontent sources 144, 248, 334, and the service provider device 336described with reference to FIGS. 1-3.

In a networked deployment, the computer system 700 may operate in thecapacity of a server or as a client user computer in a server-clientuser network environment, or as a peer computer system in a peer-to-peer(or distributed) network environment. The computer system 700 may alsobe implemented as or incorporated into various devices, such as apersonal computer (PC), a tablet PC, a set-top box (STB), a personaldigital assistant (PDA), a mobile device, a palmtop computer, a laptopcomputer, a desktop computer, a communications device, a wirelesstelephone, a web appliance, or any other machine capable of executing aset of instructions (sequential or otherwise) that specify actions to betaken by that machine. In a particular embodiment, the computer system700 may be implemented using electronic devices that provide video,audio, or data communication. Further, while a single computer system700 is illustrated, the term “system” shall also be taken to include anycollection of systems or sub-systems that individually or jointlyexecute a set, or multiple sets, of instructions to perform one or morecomputer functions.

As illustrated in FIG. 7, the computer system 700 may include aprocessor 702, e.g., a central processing unit (CPU), a graphicsprocessing unit (GPU), or both. Moreover, the computer system 700 mayinclude a main memory 704 and a static memory 706, which can communicatewith each other via a bus 708. As shown, the computer system 700 mayfurther include a video display unit 710, such as a liquid crystaldisplay (LCD), a flat panel display, a solid state display, or a lampassembly of a projection system. Additionally, the computer system 700may include an input device 712, such as a keyboard, and a cursorcontrol device 714, such as a mouse. The computer system 700 may alsoinclude a drive unit 716, a signal generation device 718, such as aspeaker or remote control, and a network interface device 720. Somecomputer systems 700 may not include an input device (e.g., a server maynot include an input device).

In a particular embodiment, as depicted in FIG. 7, the drive unit 716may include a computer-readable storage device 722 in which one or moresets of instructions 724, e.g. software, can be embedded. Further, theinstructions 724 may embody one or more of the methods or logic asdescribed herein. In a particular embodiment, the instructions 724 mayreside completely, or at least partially, within the main memory 704,the static memory 706, and/or within the processor 702 during executionby the computer system 700. The main memory 704 and the processor 702also may include computer-readable storage devices. The instructions 724in the drive unit 716, the main memory 704, the static memory 706, theprocessor 702, or combinations thereof may include a media contentsplitter 726 to enable division of media content into two or more datapacket streams of data packets, where each data packet stream includes aportion of the data packets needed to produce the media content.

In an alternative embodiment, dedicated hardware implementations, suchas application specific integrated circuits, programmable logic arraysand other hardware devices, may be constructed to implement one or moreof the methods described herein. Applications that may include theapparatus and systems of various embodiments may broadly include avariety of electronic and computer systems. One or more embodimentsdescribed herein may implement functions using two or more specificinterconnected hardware modules or devices with related control and datasignals that can be communicated between and through the modules, or asportions of an application-specific integrated circuit. Accordingly, thepresent system encompasses software, firmware, and hardwareimplementations.

In accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure, themethods described herein may be implemented by software programsexecutable by a computer system. Further, in an exemplary, non-limitedembodiment, implementations may include distributed processing,component/object distributed processing, and parallel processing.Alternatively, virtual computer system processing may be constructed toimplement one or more of the methods or functionality as describedherein.

The present disclosure contemplates a computer-readable storage device722 (e.g., a computer readable medium) that stores instructions 724 orreceives, stores and executes instructions 724, so that a deviceconnected to a network 728 may communicate voice, video or data over thenetwork 728. While the computer-readable storage device is shown to be asingle storage device, the term “computer-readable storage device”includes a single storage device or multiple storage devices, such as acentralized or distributed database, and/or associated caches andservers that store one or more sets of instructions. The term“computer-readable storage device” shall also include any storage devicethat is capable of storing a set of instructions for execution by aprocessor or that cause a computer system to perform any one or more ofthe methods or operations disclosed herein.

In a particular non-limiting, exemplary embodiment, thecomputer-readable storage device may include a solid-state memory suchas a memory card or other package that houses one or more non-volatileread-only memories. Further, the computer-readable storage device may bea random access memory or other volatile re-writable memory.Additionally, the computer-readable storage device may include amagneto-optical or optical medium, such as a disk or tapes or otherstorage device. Accordingly, the disclosure is considered to include anyone or more of a computer-readable storage device and other equivalentsand successor devices, in which data or instructions may be stored.

Although the present specification describes components and functionsthat may be implemented in particular embodiments with reference toparticular standards and protocols, the disclosed embodiments are notlimited to such standards and protocols. For example, standards forInternet and other packet switched network transmission (e.g., TCP/IP,UDP/IP, IEEE 802.x) represent examples of the state of the art. Suchstandards are periodically superseded by faster or more efficientequivalents having essentially the same functions. Accordingly,replacement standards and protocols having the same or similar functionsas those disclosed herein are considered equivalents thereof.

The illustrations of the embodiments described herein are intended toprovide a general understanding of the structure of the variousembodiments. The illustrations are not intended to serve as a completedescription of all of the elements and features of apparatus and systemsthat utilize the structures or methods described herein. Many otherembodiments may be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewingthe disclosure. Other embodiments may be utilized and derived from thedisclosure, such that structural and logical substitutions and changesmay be made without departing from the scope of the disclosure.Accordingly, the disclosure and the figures are to be regarded asillustrative rather than restrictive.

One or more embodiments of the disclosure may be referred to herein,individually and/or collectively, by the term “invention” merely forconvenience and without intending to voluntarily limit the scope of thisapplication to any particular invention or inventive concept. Moreover,although specific embodiments have been illustrated and describedherein, it should be appreciated that any subsequent arrangementdesigned to achieve the same or similar purpose may be substituted forthe specific embodiments shown. This disclosure is intended to cover anyand all subsequent adaptations or variations of various embodiments.

The Abstract of the Disclosure is provided with the understanding thatit will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of theclaims. In addition, in the foregoing Detailed Description, variousfeatures may be grouped together or described in a single embodiment forthe purpose of streamlining the disclosure. This disclosure is not to beinterpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed embodimentsrequire more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather,as the following claims reflect, inventive subject matter may bedirected to less than all of the features of any of the disclosedembodiments. Thus, the following claims are incorporated into theDetailed Description, with each claim standing on its own as definingseparately claimed subject matter.

The above-disclosed subject matter is to be considered illustrative, andnot restrictive, and the appended claims are intended to cover all suchmodifications, enhancements, and other embodiments, which fall withinthe scope of the present disclosure. Thus, to the maximum extent allowedby law, the scope of the present disclosure is to be determined by thebroadest permissible interpretation of the following claims and theirequivalents, and shall not be restricted or limited by the foregoingdetailed description.

What is claimed is:
 1. A media device, comprising: a processing systemincluding a processor; and a memory that stores executable instructionsthat, when executed by the processing system, facilitate performance ofoperations, the operations comprising: causing a first plurality ofconcurrent communication connections to be established with a customerpremises equipment device via a local area network, wherein the causingenables the customer premises equipment device to provide media contentto the media device over the first plurality of concurrent communicationconnections; obtaining, based on the causing, a plurality of streams ofdata packets from the customer premises equipment device, wherein themedia content is divided into the plurality of streams of data packets,and wherein each concurrent communication connection of the firstplurality of concurrent communication connections carries a respectivestream of data packets of the plurality of streams of data packets; andduring the obtaining, and based on an increase in workload at thecustomer premises equipment device, causing a first concurrentcommunication connection of the first plurality of concurrentcommunication connections to end, such that a second plurality ofconcurrent communication connections remains with the customer premisesequipment device, wherein division of the media content is adjusted fordelivery via the second plurality of concurrent communicationconnections.
 2. The media device of claim 1, wherein the operationsfurther comprise during the obtaining, and based on a decrease in theworkload at the customer premises equipment device, causing the firstconcurrent communication connection of the first plurality of concurrentcommunication connections to become re-enabled, wherein division of themedia content is readjusted for delivery via the first plurality ofconcurrent communication connections.
 3. The media device of claim 1,wherein the causing the first plurality of concurrent communicationconnections to be established is based on the workload at the customerpremises equipment device.
 4. The media device of claim 1, wherein thecausing the first plurality of concurrent communication connections tobe established is based on a quantity of concurrent communicationconnections supported by the customer premises equipment device.
 5. Themedia device of claim 1, wherein the causing the first plurality ofconcurrent communication connections to be established is based on aquantity of concurrent communication connections supported by the mediadevice.
 6. The media device of claim 1, wherein the local area networkcomprises a wireless network.
 7. The media device of claim 1, whereinthe obtaining the plurality of streams of data packets from the customerpremises equipment device comprises obtaining the plurality of streamsof data packets via time division multiple access, frequency divisionmultiple access, code division multiple access, or a combinationthereof.
 8. The media device of claim 1, wherein the customer premisesequipment device receives the media content from a data source.
 9. Themedia device of claim 8, wherein the customer premises equipment devicereceives the media content from the data source over a third pluralityof concurrent communication connections established between the customerpremises equipment device and the data source, and wherein the thirdplurality of concurrent communication connections is equal to the firstplurality of concurrent communication connections.
 10. The media deviceof claim 8, wherein the data source is communicatively coupled to thelocal area network.
 11. A non-transitory machine-readable medium,comprising executable instructions that, when executed by a processingsystem of a media device including a processor, facilitate performanceof operations, the operations comprising: establishing a first pluralityof concurrent communication connections with a customer premisesequipment device via a local area network to receive media content;receiving, based on the establishing, a plurality of streams of datapackets from the customer premises equipment device, wherein the mediacontent is divided into the plurality of streams of data packets, andwherein each concurrent communication connection of the first pluralityof concurrent communication connections delivers a respective stream ofdata packets of the plurality of streams of data packets; and whilereceiving the plurality of streams of data packets, and responsive to anincrease in workload at the customer premises equipment device or themedia device, causing a first concurrent communication connection of thefirst plurality of concurrent communication connections to end, suchthat a second plurality of concurrent communication connections remainswith the customer premises equipment device, wherein division of themedia content is adjusted based on the second plurality of concurrentcommunication connections.
 12. The non-transitory machine-readablemedium of claim 11, wherein the establishing the first plurality ofconcurrent communication connections is based on a quantity ofconcurrent communication connections supported by the customer premisesequipment device.
 13. The non-transitory machine-readable medium ofclaim 11, wherein the establishing the first plurality of concurrentcommunication connections is based on a quantity of concurrentcommunication connections supported by the media device.
 14. Thenon-transitory machine-readable medium of claim 11, wherein the localarea network comprises a wireless network.
 15. The non-transitorymachine-readable medium of claim 11, wherein the receiving the pluralityof streams of data packets from the customer premises equipment devicecomprises receiving the plurality of streams of data packets via timedivision multiple access, frequency division multiple access, codedivision multiple access, or combinations thereof.
 16. A method,comprising: causing, by a processing system of a media device includinga processor, a first plurality of concurrent communication connectionsto be established with a customer premises equipment device via a localarea network, wherein the causing enables the customer premisesequipment device to provide media content, obtained from a source deviceon the local area network, to the media device over the first pluralityof concurrent communication connections; receiving, by the processingsystem and based on the causing, a plurality of streams of data packetsfrom the customer premises equipment device, wherein the media contentis divided into the plurality of streams of data packets, and whereineach concurrent communication connection of the first plurality ofconcurrent communication connections provides a respective stream ofdata packets of the plurality of streams of data packets; and responsiveto an increase in workload at the customer premises equipment device,causing, by the processing system, multiple concurrent communicationconnections of the first plurality of concurrent communicationconnections to end, such that a second plurality of concurrentcommunication connections remains with the customer premises equipmentdevice, wherein division of the media content is adjusted for deliveryvia the second plurality of concurrent communication connections. 17.The method of claim 16, further comprising during the receiving, andbased on a decrease in the workload at the customer premises equipmentdevice, causing the multiple concurrent communication connections of thefirst plurality of concurrent communication connections to becomere-enabled, wherein division of the media content is readjusted fordelivery via the first plurality of concurrent communicationconnections.
 18. The method of claim 16, wherein the customer premisesequipment device receives the media content from the source device overa third plurality of concurrent communication connections establishedbetween the customer premises equipment device and the source device.19. The method of claim 18, wherein the third plurality of concurrentcommunication connections is equal to the first plurality of concurrentcommunication connections.
 20. The method of claim 16, wherein thesource device sends the media content to the customer premises equipmentdevice via a public wide area network.